One of my goals for 2008 is to get organized. I am really sick of my messy desk. I have way too many piles of papers and books and magazines everywhere, and not enough bookcases. Too much stuff in the kitchen drawers. Too much stuff on the telephone desk and the table. Too many clothes. The mail gets scattered all over the place. Okay, I am not getting rid of all the books, and I do sell them online, but not fast enough. And I love my clothes. But I am overwhelmed!
I picked up a book at the thrift store recently; The One-Minute Organizer, by Donna Smallin. One of her suggestions is to take organizing in small chunks. Look at one shelf, one pile, one drawer at a time. We tend to put off organizing because it seems overwhelming, but by breaking it down into something you can do in one minute or five or fifteen, in time it all gets done. It's also important to make a commitment to organizing, that you can stick with every day or week. Think tortoise.
Today I decided to commit five minutes a day to organizing. My first goal would be to clean out the plastic bag drawer. How long could that take? I boldly opened the drawer the whole way and the spring-loaded bags popped up and out at me. When would I ever use this many bags?? I do hate putting them into the garbage. I decided to return the tan Safeway bags to the store, where they have plastic bag recycling. The bags from the vegetable department went into another bag to keep in the car; I could re-use them at the Food Coop. I would keep the white ones for other needs and projects.
Underneath the bags were the kids' paint shirts from years ago, made from their dad's old polo work shirts. My husband could use these for rags. I found four Ikea dishtowels. I have to admit I have a weird thing about dishtowels. I usually have too many of these to keep stuffed in their own drawer. Okay, I could get rid of four old ones. Then there was the pile of corks from wine bottles. I put those in a bag to bring to the Goodwill. There was a funny smell in the drawer. I examined the bottom of the drawer and saw a big dried-up food drip in one corner. I cleaned it out. Wow, space and cleanliness!
Okay, it took longer than five minutes, more like 20, but I got such a feeling of satisfaction from it that I took down the Christmas tree and put all the Christmas stuff away. I actually sorted through the ornaments and decorations and got together a bagful of stuff that I wasn't particularly attached to. This will go to the Goodwill. I have a feeling I'm going to be getting pretty familiar with the crew at the back dock there this year.
Are you organized? Do you have an organizing tip or story?
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Comments: 45
My apartment is small so it sort of makes me be
good for you !!!!!!!
I bought a large 5 drawer file cabinet on e-Bay for only $38. I bought hanging files and sorted all of my papers.
My husband and I actually tackled our packed-to-the-rafters-attic last summer. It took us weeks but we went through everything. We had five piles: one for us, one for our daughter, one for our son, one for Goodwill and one for trash. Everything that stayed got labeled. We got rid of so much. I felt so much lighter when we were all done. Now we need to do the same thing with our basement.
Oh, for all those plastic bags, I also use them when sending packages across the country to friends and family instead of "ghost poo" stuffing.
Right on, Peter.
I'm with you, Cindy.
William, I am sick of having so many blue dresses; some of them have got to go.
Marianne, you're an inspiration!
Thanks, Cori; and that is a good idea for the plastic bags.
Now you've got me wondering, Alison, are there any other Alisons with messy desks out there (lol)??
;o)
Experts say take small steps, one drawer, one shelf, one room at a time. Sounds like you're off to a good start.
Jean, why not make a trip up here and help me, then I'll come help you.....? :-))
Mary, I suppose you're right, it will never be finished, but maybe I'll be getting some good new habits so I never get to this point again!
Debra, that is good advice. I will have to teach these rules to my sons as well!
"PURGING THE DROSS"
I don't know what great work of literature it may relate to, but it sure sounds good!
Yes, it does make one feel wonderful when they get organized, if we could just stay organized...then we wouldn't have to dive into the piles every few years!
I started today to pull things out of some of the cubboards and wash down and put contents in more organized, so I can reach in and grab what I need....
It's a vicious cycle for me. I too need to get orginized...Again so that I can plan a new goal for next year!
surrender, welcome to Gather.
AF, I know what you mean....
Beej, I can easily get way into the obsessive-compulsiveness of it myself.
ChrisJerri, I wish my hubby would let me do that! Hope you're staying warm.
Marge, nice to know I have a bizarro twin! Let's get to work!
Birdee: it does get old!
Sheila: that's the trouble....it gets shifted and then there are more piles, lol!